Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Today, following a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on enhancing access to care at home in rural and underserved areas, Representatives Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) released a bipartisan discussion draft of legislation that would extend Hospital Care at Home waivers that have allowed for the expanded delivery of hospital-level care for Medicare beneficiaries in the comfort of their own home.

The Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCAH) initiative was launched in 2020 in response to challenges faced by hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of March 2023, 277 hospitals across 123 health systems in 37 states were approved to participate in the Acute Hospital Care at Home program. This draft legislation would extend the waiver program until 2027. 

Today’s hearing highlighted the pressing need to fully examine what flexibilities may be needed to ensure that Hospital at Home can be successfully implemented to improve patient outcomes and access to care. Representatives Wenstrup and Blumenauer invite feedback from patients, providers, and health systems that are participating in the program or would consider doing so under an extension of the waiver.

“As a physician and Co-Chair of the GOP Doctors Caucus, I know the importance of offering patients the method of care that fits their needs, and extending the AHCAH flexibilities ensures patients have continued access to these options," said Rep. Wenstrup. "This program will allow thousands of Americans to continue receiving quality care from the safety of their own home. Patients are less anxious, and heal better, when they can heal at home."

“One of the few silver linings of the pandemic was our ability to cut administrative regulations to improve how patients get high quality care. The hospital at home program is an apt example of this,” said Rep. Blumenauer. “We know that patients fare better and enjoy their experience more when they’re at home. I look forward to working with Dr. Wenstrup to allow more hospitals and patients to access this program.”

During this week's Ways and Means hearing, Rep. Wenstrup spoke on the importance of quality and accessible at-home care. Watch his full remarks below.

Video: Rep. Wenstrup speaks Tuesday at Ways and Means hearing.

The full text of the discussion draft can be found here.

###